United States Permit and License Passing Scores

Total Passing Scores in all States

The following is a list of the total passing score in different states. Where the knowledge test consist of two parts with a separate road sign test, the average passing scores from both parts are used. (Road signs tests usually have a higher passing scores, like Virginia where you must correctly answer all 10 road sign questions.)

California has three different test, depending on your age and if you are a first-time applicant or not. The passing scores vary slightly depending on test.

Higher passing scores does not necessarily mean that the DMV test is more difficult.

DPS Alabama official knowledge test: 80 percent.

DMV Alaska official knowledge test: 80 percent.

MVD Arizona official knowledge test: 80 percent.

DMV Arkansas official knowledge test: 80 percent.

DMV California official knowledge test: 83 percent.

DMV Colorado official knowledge test: 80 percent.

DMV Connecticut official knowledge test: 80 percent.

DMV Delaware official knowledge test: 76 percent.

DMV District of Columbia official knowledge test: 75 percent.

FLHSMV Florida official knowledge test: 80 percent.

DDS Georgia official knowledge test: 75 percent.

DMV Hawaii official knowledge test: 80 percent.

DMV Idaho official knowledge test: 85 percent.

DMV Illinois official knowledge test: 80 percent.

BMV Indiana official knowledge test: 84 percent.

DMV Iowa official knowledge test: 80 percent.

DMV Kansas official knowledge test: 80 percent.

DMV Kentucky official knowledge test: 80 percent.

DMV Louisiana official knowledge test: 80 percent.

BMV Maine official knowledge test: 84 percent.

MVA Maryland official knowledge test: 85 percent.

RMV Massachusetts official knowledge test: 70 percent.

DMV Michigan official knowledge test: 80 percent.

DMV Minnesota official knowledge test: 80 percent.

DMV Mississippi official knowledge test: 80 percent.

DMV Missouri official knowledge test: 80 percent.

DMV Montana official knowledge test: 82 percent.

DMV Nebraska official knowledge test: 80 percent.

DMV Nevada official knowledge test: 80 percent.

DMV New Hampshire official knowledge test: 84 percent.

MVC New Jersey official knowledge test: 80 percent.

MVD New Mexico official knowledge test: 70 percent.

DMV New York official knowledge test: 70 percent.

DMV North Carolina official knowledge test: 80 percent.

DMV North Dakota official knowledge test: 80 percent.

BMV Ohio official knowledge test: 75 percent.

DMV Oklahoma official knowledge test: 80 percent.

DMV Oregon official knowledge test: 80 percent.

PennDot Pennsylvania official knowledge test: 84 percent.

DMV Rhode Island official knowledge test: 80 percent.

DMV South Carolina official knowledge test: 80 percent.

DMV South Dakota official knowledge test: 80 percent.

DMV Tennessee official knowledge test: 80 percent.

DPS Texas official knowledge test: 70 percent.

DMV Utah official knowledge test: 80 percent.

DMV Vermont official knowledge test: 80 percent.

DOL Virginia official knowledge test: 86 percent.

DMV Washington official knowledge test: 80 percent.

DMV West Virginia official knowledge test: 76 percent.

DMV Wisconsin official knowledge test: 80 percent.

DMV Wyoming official knowledge test: 76 percent.

Summary

Four states (Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York and Texas) have the lowest passing score, 70 percent. Massachusetts and New York have only 20 questions on their written knowledge test. Texas has 30 questions.

32 states have a passing score of 80 percent. Most of these states have 25 questions, which means you must correctly answer 20 questions to pass the exam.

Three states (Idaho, Maryland, and Virginia) have a passing score of 85 percent or more. Idaho has 40 questions on their test, Maryland has only 20 questions, and Virginia has 35 questions (of which 10 are road sign questions).

About Mark

25 Comments

We live in the Columbia county of Arkansas and my child been practicing over and over in that book. She took the test 5 times and still didn’t pass. People are saying it depends on the person that working in there that may have something to do with who passes and why some don’t. Some questions seem to not be in the book and its difficult. These kids have no idea which ones was wrong or right. It’s frustrating for them.

I truly understand that failing 5 times must be extremely frustrating, but failing a few times isn’t that uncommon. A person administering the test can’t influence the result. Tests/questions are random.

On a multi-choice test an answer is either correct or not.

Don’t know if all tests in Arkansas are computerized. If they are, you get feedback after each question and will know if you answered correctly or not. If tests are on paper, you can see the result and should be able to see questions you missed. Sixth time: make sure you talk to the examiner about this before the test!

A knowledge tests is supposed to be difficult. Driving is not a task or responsibility that you should take lightly.

You need to truly understand and learn the content of the study guide. All questions on the final exam are based on this guide.

Depends on state. Most states require you to wait until the next day, a few a little longer than that. You may find the information here: https://driversprep.com/resources/ or in you state driver’s manual.

If you fail, you probably missed 20% or more. That indicates that you aren’t really ready. Take a few days to study some more.

Ti whom it may concerns
I have requested the Senior Driver test for Safe Driving book and tha is the same book that every one gets personally at the DMV, local office for general public.
Is is really diferent book ? I am senior age of 82 and longer do a lot of driving.
Is there any other book or regulations for senior?
I will appreciate a reply
Thanks
F. Shimabukuro

Depends on state. Many states have published separate information for teens and/or seniors. It doesn’t mean that laws and regulations are different. It just means that the information focus on areas that are more important when you are a senior or a teen. Same thing with tests. In some states, like California, the renewal test for seniors has fewer questions (18), while the first test for teens has more questions than the regular test.

Ask your local DMV for the complete driver handbook/manual and/or any separate publication for seniors.

I think that the pass score should be different depending on age group, like, lower for senior who drive only in local area to shop or other activity and higher for lovely youngster who should know very well to regulation and get more practice. Are there any difference now in California? Hope to get your kind reply. Thanks